National 4/5 Biology Properties of enzymes

Enzymes are made of protein

The shape of an enzyme molecule is complementary to its substrate

The enzyme and substrate fit together like a lock and key The enzyme is the lock, and the substrate is the key that fits into it

The part of the enzyme the substrate fits into is called… The active site

When an enzyme binds with its substrate it forms an enzyme-substrate complex….

Before releasing the products of the reaction….

Many enzymes are involved in breakdown reactions: Amylase breaks down starch to form maltose Catalase breaks down hydrogen peroxide to form oxygen and water

Some enzymes are involved in synthesis reactions: Phosphorylase makes starch from glucose 1-phosphate